Translator: Flying Lines
“My suggestion is, Mr. Chen needs to rest, for three months at least.”
“Thank you, doctor.”
A doctor in his forties was talking to a young man in the ward. The latter could definitely be called handsome, but the slightly cold and glum look on his face seemed to naturally put a distance between him and others.
Chen Chang’an lay quietly on the bed, catching every word of the conversation going on. The corners of his mouth lifted as he shut his eyes: Changle, it seems I’m going to see you soon.
Two days ago, Chen Chang’an fainted during a regular meeting in the evening, which sent a wave of shock among the senior management level of the Brothers Group. Though the news was quickly buried, those at the top of the Group still worried how long the Old Fox could carry on with his rapidly deteriorating health.
If something really happened to him, who would be his successor? Would it be Lu Feng?
Lu Feng, the street waif picked up in Africa.
His parents came to Africa on business some time ago, and when he lost both parents in an especially turbulent period, he became an orphan and lived on the streets like a stray.
That day, it was raining heavily, with a gloomy, downcast sky.
Cold and hungry, the orphaned kid crouched under the eaves, to keep himself away from the rain.
He fingers, which had blood stains on them, grasped a piece of moldy bread. He stole it from the wild dogs some time ago.
There was mud on his shabby clothes, which were quickly turning into rags. Though filthy, the child had a pair of bright eyes, which held much coldness, brutality and danger in them like those of a wild beast.
Perhaps it was this pair of eyes that caught Chen An’s attention as he passed in his car.
“Stop.”
The man in black leather gloves said something, and as the sleek and beautiful limousine slowed down, muddy drops were spattered on little Lu Feng, as well as his moldy bread.
Grabbing the bread more tightly in his hand, little Lu Feng glared at the limousine, the ferocity in his eyes nearly dripping, as if he was ready to spring up and tore those in the car to pieces.
The car door opened.
The ferocious look in little Lu Feng’s eyes receded a little bit, as he saw a pair of well-polished shoes on the edge of the car door. The boots tapped lightly on the floor; Lu Feng looked up at the owner of the boots.
He saw a man’s face, pale, with thin lips and shadows in his eyes.
The man were looking at him, with dark eyes which held more storm in them than the clouds overhead. All of a sudden, little Lu Feng felt awkward. His body tensed up, and he breathed faster.
He’d never seen such a good-looking man.
“Name?” When the man spoke, his voice was not as sharp as Lu Feng expected─it was no doubt cold, but with a slight trace of gentleness in it.
“Lu Feng.” He was glad he still remembered his own name.
Ever since he was three, his mother had told him repeatedly: if you get lost, remember, you name is Lu Feng, and you live…
He hadn’t had occasion to use his name for some time, and nearly forgot it. But fortunately, his mother’s words helped him.
“Lu Feng…”The man rolled the name on his tongue; little Lu Feng felt his body getting warmer.
He liked it when the man said his name, and so he repeated it: “yes, Lu Feng.”
Perhaps because his reaction amused the man, there was the slightest trace of a smile on his lips as he asked: “where’s your home?”
“I don’t have one, not anymore.” Little Lu Feng stared at the man’s face. He wanted to remember it. This rich-looking man would probably leave soon. No rich man wanted to stay here for long.
He didn’t want to forget this man who had such a nice-looking face.
“Where are your parents?” The man again asked.
“They died.”
“How old are you?” The man asked yet another question, which Lu Feng did not expect.
“Ten. Maybe.” In fact, he’d forgotten about his exact age, so he gave an approximate number.
In the next moment, little Lu Feng saw the man with shadows in his eyes stretch out his hand: “you want to come with me?”
He jumped up and caught the man’s hand in leather gloves, grasping it tightly and looking back at the man, he said: “yes!”
Ten years had passed since then.
No one knew the dirty, skinny kid Chen Chang’an took back from the street would become the second-in-command of the Brothers Group.
Word had it that Lu Feng was a dog kept by Chen Chang’an.
A dog that would take the kicks thrown in its way tamely, a loyal dog that never barked at its owner.
Apart from that, whoever crossed Chen Chang’an, his body would be found on the streets in half a month. Everyone knew who it was that put the body there, just as they knew how morbid Lu Feng’s loyalty towards Chen Chang’an was.
Perhaps Chen Chang’an was not the only one who needed to see a doctor; Lu Feng also needed one.
…
Lu Feng was seated on the bedside and peeling an apple with a sharp knife in his hand. The apple peel did not break off and came off as a whole instead; even the width of it was consistent, as if produced by a machine.
And in the eyes of on-lookers, Lu Feng was not very different from a machine.
“How are things recently?” Chen Chang’an asked, leaning against the headboard. The various medical equipment that was in the room several days back had been removed; he didn’t want to feel like he was still living in a hospital ward.
He hated hospital wards, and he hated the smell of medicine.
“A few days ago, Ding Sheng from Interpol had attempted to intercept and capture our ship. We got word in advance and gave him the slip. Ivanov knows you are ill. He’s sent a letter. You want to read it?”
Placing the peeled apple on a plate, Lu Feng cut it into small, same-sized slices in several quick strokes and lay them neatly on the plate.
“Burn it.” Chen Chang’an slowly let out a breath. He felt the air was a bit stuffy in the room, and kneading the center of his brows, he said, “Open the window.”
“Hmm.” Lu Feng walked over to the window and pushed it open. A cool sea breeze rushed in and lifted the translucent curtain.
The odor of the sea.
“The island is my birthday present for you, right?” Chen Chang’an lay still in bed, looking at the ceiling, lost in his thoughts.